The BBC argues that demand to join Mar-a-Lago can help measure Donald Trump's reputation. In his BBC lawsuit, his lawyer argues that the club is not associated with that reputation.
The Associated Press reports that a judge on Thursday allowed the BBC to obtain aggregate membership-application totals from January 6, 2020, through January 6, 2026, plus membership and initiation-fee information, to test Trump's $10 billion damages claim. The BBC apologized for misleadingly editing his January 6 speech but denies defamation.
On the BBC's theory, a robust membership drive could do two things at once: bring money into Trump's club and help his opponent question how much money the BBC owes him. At most clubs, more applications would be uncomplicated good news. This one may need to check with litigation before celebrating.
The club doesn't have to admit the BBC's lawyers. The membership totals are going out to meet them.
Make powerful people uncomfortable.
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